Reply to: Agents....do your own bloody work

[2BIT]

Agreed, I must say i've had it 50/50. I have had some good agents....shhh, don't tell anyone.

But the current/ almost ex agent has these little sticking out ears (a bit troll like, although he has brilliant white teeth and plenty of hair gel so definately not a troll)....and I just can't help wanting to pull them off his head - this of course has some history behind it.

Next contract is a bit different....an agent put me forward for the role but billing is direct, so he will get the equivilent of a finders fee, and I must say he's been great, no hassle, no worries, not trying to screw me on margin and put me forward at a very respectable rate. Landed the role, client are willing to wait, all parties happy.

weirdest call I got the other day was when they asked me for my rate and they suggested I up it by £20 a day?!?!

[2BIT]

What is an Internet?

not sure but apparently they have it on the web now....

[amcdonald]

My agent forgot to tell me my contract was being renewed, and HR on client site hadn't told anyone on site either.

Over two months after agency got client co to sign a new contract I got a renewal contract to sign

They can be a right PITA sometimes, well I say sometimes...

[Board Game Geek]

What is an Internet?

It's a care in the community scheme to keep nerds at home.

No..wait..

[TheFaQQer]

I did give him a rough estimate, being the polite chap I am.

Somewhere between £15k and £150k is the usual ball park I recommend to agencies. They always seem to appreciate it.

[MaryPoppins]

[QUOTE=doodab;1299534]Equally valid to tell them that anyone you would personally recommend is currently in contract for a better rate than they are offering.

[QUOTE]

Well yes, that's usually my response.

[thunderlizard]

Had an agent phone me up asking if I had experience in a certain MS Technology. I said no, they asked if I knew anything about the technology. To which I said no. I think they believe the internet is dead.

People who'd rather talk to humans than look at the internet. Weirdos.

[doodab]

I think it's fairly valid to be asked by an agent if I might know anyone else who does what I do; albeit not as well as me, obvs.

Equally valid to tell them that anyone you would personally recommend is currently in contract for a better rate than they are offering.

I do have some particularly "niche" technical skills though, there hasn't been great demand in the last few years so hopefully this is a sign of an upturn.

[MaryPoppins]

I keep getting the cheeky feckers asking me if I know anyone who might want their jobs. That is completely arse about face IMO.

Perhaps I should open my own brothel^H^H^H^H^H^H^H agency.

I think it's fairly valid to be asked by an agent if I might know anyone else who does what I do; albeit not as well as me, obvs.

[conned tractor]

One could argue he is doing his job.

You can work with agents or against them, but they are still part of our industry.

There are good agents, and others you feel like kicking up the arse. Just like contractors, although none in present company I hasten to add.

Agreed, I must say i've had it 50/50. I have had some good agents....shhh, don't tell anyone.

But the current/ almost ex agent has these little sticking out ears (a bit troll like, although he has brilliant white teeth and plenty of hair gel so definately not a troll)....and I just can't help wanting to pull them off his head - this of course has some history behind it.

Next contract is a bit different....an agent put me forward for the role but billing is direct, so he will get the equivilent of a finders fee, and I must say he's been great, no hassle, no worries, not trying to screw me on margin and put me forward at a very respectable rate. Landed the role, client are willing to wait, all parties happy.

[gingerjedi]

What is an Internet?

It's what a trainee did at lunchtime.

[Doggy Styles]

Does anyone else get agents phone them up to ask what salary a job should be.

I had one last week phone me up with a brief job spec for a permie role, told me the location, told him i'm not interested, etc, and then was quizzing me about what salary he should be advertising the role for. It's not the first time either - happens probably once every couple of months.

I did give him a rough estimate, being the polite chap I am.

Does anyone else get these cheeky beggars using you as free consultancy.

One could argue he is doing his job.

You can work with agents or against them, but they are still part of our industry.

There are good agents, and others you feel like kicking up the arse. Just like contractors, although none in present company I hasten to add.

[Old Greg]

Does anyone else get agents phone them up to ask what salary a job should be.

I had one last week phone me up with a brief job spec for a permie role, told me the location, told him i'm not interested, etc, and then was quizzing me about what salary he should be advertising the role for. It's not the first time either - happens probably once every couple of months.

I did give him a rough estimate, being the polite chap I am.

Does anyone else get these cheeky beggars using you as free consultancy.

They are doing their own job. They're probably just as surprised that you're helping for free.

[pmeswani]

What is an Internet?

Something that makes agents go blind. I wouldn't use it if I were you.

[doodab]

What is an Internet?

It's like a computer with some googles on it.